Murray’s choice

Saturday

Jan 19, 2013 at 6:00 AM

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray is not running for governor in 2014. That clarifies the picture for political watchers.

It also illuminates the picture of Mr. Murray as a parent. Citizens may forget about that for public servants, but sons and daughters don’t. When a child hears “Dad’s working” or “Mom’s busy,” the wisps of hurt and disappointment add up and weigh on the whole family.

Any parent can relate to Mr. Murray’s honesty. He told the Telegram & Gazette yesterday: “When I look at the next 20 months — how do I do my job with the issues in my portfolio? How do I run a campaign that my supporters and the people of Massachusetts deserve, and be a father to two daughters, who are 6 and 7 years old, and a husband to my wife? And I don’t know how I could do all of those things well.”

And: “My brothers all coach their kids, and this year my daughter asked me, ‘Daddy, how come you don’t coach?’ Those things kind of hit you.”

The lieutenant governor’s tenure at the Statehouse has been beneficial for his larger home, Worcester. The city has made advances in commuter rail, signed the CSX deal, seen cranes crafting a new skyline, and forged energetic partnerships in education, technology and other endeavors. Mr. Murray, who has a leadership style of unpresuming tenacity, has helped keep the city squarely at the table in deliberations affecting the state.

As he said yesterday, the lieutenant governor has many issues to manage in his remaining two years. So his choice provides clarity in another way: He can focus on the high-level job he has.

Yesterday’s announcement was a surprise in that his lean had seemed to be in the other direction. He told reporters in September, for instance, that he felt he would make a good governor and was seriously considering a try.

He said it did not factor into his decision, but Mr. Murray, 44, has faced recent political turbulence.

His November 2011 early-morning car crash on Interstate 190 — and, more seriously, his prior political ties with Michael E. McLaughlin, the disgraced ex-housing authority director in Chelsea — brought concerns and unanswered questions that hang in the air still. The McLaughlin matter in particular mars a hitherto remarkably smooth rise from Worcester city councilor to mayor to Deval L. Patrick’s running mate in 2006.

Many considered Mr. Murray a leading contender for governor nevertheless, and his decision disappoints his supporters.

Mr. Murray has not ruled out a political run in the future, but meanwhile we echo the governor, who said yesterday that he respected his lieutenant governor for both his service and his decision.

Instead of the governor’s office in two years, Mr. Murray has chosen the power and fame of fatherhood and home. There are two young children in the city voting “yes” to that.